Kawasaki disease: An unusual presentation in a 14-year old boy in Sokoto, north western Nigeria

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that mostly affects children less than 5years. Occasionally, it may presents with renal  involvement of varying severity. In Nigeria and most of Africa, only a few cases of KD have been reported and these were among children within
the typical age group. We report an unusual case of Kawasaki disease with renal manifestation in a 14 year old adolescent. Apart from the principal
features of KD comprising of high grade fever, non purulent conjunctivitis, polymorphous rash, right sided cervical lymphadenitis and symmetrical desquamative lesions of the digits of the hands and feet; our patient also had renal involvement. The renal manifestations included mild periorbital
edema, oliguria, hypertension (140/90mmHg), hematuria(++), proteinuria(++) and elevated serum urea and creatinine (8.3mmol/L and 1.9mg/dl respectively). He was managed with high dose aspirin at  80mg/kg/day. The dose was reduced (5mg/Kg/day) and subsequently stopped after serial echocardiography showed normal coronary arteries. Intravenous immune globuline (IVIG) could not be started due to non
availability. Nevertheless, clinical signs resolved, renal function normalised
after 6 weeks and echocardiographic picture did not deteriorate. Patient is currently on follow up at the paediatric cardiology clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto, Nigeria..

Conclusion: Kawasaki disease can occur even in older children and renal manifestation may be self limiting. This report highlights the need for high index of suspicion in all cases.

Key words: Kawasaki disease, renal involvement, Adolescent, Sokoto, North-western Nigeria.